MERCER COUNTY Commissioners pass new rules involving property assessments

The commissioners also agreed to sell a Hermitage building.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- It will be tougher to challenge a property assessment in Mercer County, thanks to new rules passed by county commissioners Thursday.
Commissioners, who also serve as the Mercer County Board of Assessment Appeals, unanimously approved changes that County Tax Collector Michael DeForest said will make it easier to determine market value.
Instead of using the assessed value of nearby properties to challenge one's own assessment, the board will want to see how much a comparable property actually sold for. DeForest said it is possible that the assessment may actually go up as the result of an appeal.
Another new provision is that property owners who knowingly provide false information during the appeal process can be fined up to $2,500.
Help will be available
DeForest said the Tax Assessment Office will assist residents who are trying to research market values of nearby properties.
He said the changes were made necessary because of case law. In Mercer County, DeForest said that 250 assessment appeals were filed last year. Over the last several years, appeals have risen 30 percent.
All assessment appeals must be filed by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Contact DeForest's office at the courthouse, (724) 662-3800, for more information.
The commissioners agreed earlier Thursday to sell the former District Justice office building at 1119 Mercer Avenue, Hermitage, to Giovaninna Realty Limited of Hermitage, which submitted a high bid of $62,505. Commissioner Brian Beader said the bid was greater than the appraised value.
Commissioners accepted $56,812 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for continuation of the county & quot;Victim/Witness Services & quot; Project.
Commissioners also agreed to a 90-day test of equipment for electric monitoring services and equipment for the Intermediate Punishment Program from ADT Security Services Inc., Oak Brook, Ill., and also with Tracking Systems Corporation, Harrisburg.
Cost will be paid by the convicts who use the service. The test is to see which equipment is suited for the county's needs.